AFL1 Round-Up

AFL1 Round 2 was played in summer like conditions yesterday, here are the round ups:

Lucan Sarsfields 4-12 Ballymun Kickhams 4-16

The game of the weekend had to be the 8 goal thriller in the 12th lock, former Dublin corner back turned forward Stephen O'Shaughnessy scored 1-1, Tommy Brennan was the main scorer for Lucan with a goal and a string of frees and points from play, Brendan O'Shaughnessy scored the goal of the game and also scored an unfortunate O.G, whilst trying to deny a definite goal he palmed the ball into his own net, Brendan Gallagher also slotted home a penalty. Ballymuns goals came from Cian Gerrard and livewire Paddy Small scored 2. 

Ballymun's Fiach Andrews in midfield and Conor Kavanagh centre forward were dominant throughout, Kickhams were comfortably ahead at halftime 2-6 to 0-4.

Lucan got back in the reckoning in a maniac second half and then a dramatic finish that had 4 goals in 10 minutes, in which Ballymun got the last and edged it by 4 in the end.

Both teams have home advantage in Round 3, Lucan face Na Fianna next in 12th lock and Ballymun have Fingal Raven in Pairc Ciceam.

Castleknock 1-15 Fingal Ravens 0-06

Castleknock are continuing their rich vein of form, they saw off Fingal Ravens in their first ever home AFL1 game in Somerton, Tom Shields was standout at the centre of Castleknock's defence  and again Shane Boland impressed, Matthew Griffin provide Castleknock's goal, Ravens never really troubled the newly promoted side, they were limited to 6 points, 2 in the first and 4 in the second.

Castleknock travel to broomfield striving to make it 3 from 3 and Ravens have a tough task ahead in Pairc Ciceam.

St. Brigids 0-08 Kilmacud Crokes 0-14

Both teams came into this game having won their opening games of the AFL1. It was Crokes who opened the scoring through Cavan’s Eugene Keating. St Brigid’s responded through a Lorcan McCarthy point and the half continued to be quite evenly matched as both teams had their purple patches, but it was Crokes who went in at the break 2 points up 0-06 to 0-04.

It was Kilmacud who really kicked on in the second half and reeled off a number of points again through the influential Keating. The loss of midfielder Cian Mullins at half time through injury visibly affected St Brigid’s as Crokes dominated the midfield battles in the second half. Brigid’s did have 3 goal chances, which would have brought them right back into the game, if they had of put a couple of them away. Crokes were good value for their win and with the influx of their championship winning U21’s coming in to strengthen the squad they look like they will be a team that will be competing at business end of the season.

Brigids will look to get back on track away to Cuala in Hyde Park, while Crokes will look to continue the winning streak at home to Judes.

Raheny 2-07 St. Sylvesters 2-11

A lovely morning in St Anne's Park saw Raheny play St Sylvesters in the 2nd round of AFL1 matches. A competitive game overall and from the start with both sides testing each others defence. Raheny went on top by a couple of points midway through the first half before Sylvester's Ross Hazley scored a goal to bring the game level. It was nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half and it was level at the break.

The second half was equally as tight with some good passages of play from both sides. Raheny at times failed to turn their possession in to scores with Sylvesters more economical in their play and went ahead in the last 10 mins of play with a Gary Sweeney goal and Ed Walsh points. They did not relinquish this lead and won out by 4 points. Despite the loss their were positive performances from Raheny's Liam O Shea in defence and  James O Kane and Shane Homan in attack.

St. Vincents 2-19 St. Oliver Plunketts ER 4-10

Vincents are bringing their  league winning form from of 2015 into 2016 with another impressive win, the scoreline flatters to deceive, Vincents were comfortable throughout with their forwards firing, Adam Baxter got the 2 goals and Ruairi Trainor and Shane Carthy were constant thorns in Plunketts side. Plunketts got 3 late goals, when they moved former Dub Midfielder Ross McConnell to the edge of the square, but it was too little to late.

Plunketts host struggling Raheny next and will look to get back to winning ways. Vincents will be looking to exact revenge upon County Champions Ballyboden, who denied them their 3rd County Title in a row last November, the game takes place in Pairc Ui Murchu.

St. Judes 0-16 St. Maurs 2-05

Maurs got off to a blistering start in Tymon and led by 1-2 to no score after just 5 minutes, but then Judes got down to business, Colm Murphy and Seamus Ryan dominated the Middle, picked off their score and ground out the win, giving Maurs their second loss and getting themselves their opening 2 points of AFL1 2016.  

Maurs welcome fellow slow starters Thomas Davis to Rush in 3 weeks time and both will be desperate for a W, while Judes have a tough trip to Silver Park to face unbeaten Crokes.

Na Fianna 0-22 Cuala 0-11

The Match was played in lovely dry Spring conditions and despite Cuala registering the first score of the game from chief scorer Luke Keating, Na Fianna gained control of the game early on, with Conor McHugh proving too hot to handle for the Cuala defence, scoring six points from play in the first half. He would go on to score ten points in all during the game and also drew numerous scorable frees which were converted by Jack Caffrey who notched up five points from dead ball.

While Cuala’s Conor Mullally was doing his best to orchestrate his side’s play, Na Fianna were getting the upper-hand in most of the individual match ups and went into half time leading 0 -13 to 0 – 5.

The second half was more of a contest, but Na Fianna maintaining their grip on the game and while the play was a little more evenly balanced, the result was never really in question.

Cuala will be aiming for a repeat of last year with a home win over Brigids and Na Fianna will be looking to add to their opening win with a victory over Lucan in 12th lock.